Unitary wall member for use in refrigeration apparatus



Jan. 25, 1966 A. J. KOCH UNITARY WALL MEMBER FOR USE IN REFRIGERATIONAPPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 25, 1963 Jan. 25, 1966 A. J. KOCHUNITARY WALL MEMBER FOR USE IN REFRIGERATION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed July 25, 1963 Jan. 25, 1966 KOCH 3,230,734

UNI'IARY WALL MEMBER FOR USE IN REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed July 25,1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l m /i 45 /5 V 7 g9 3- United States Patent3,230,734 UNITARY WALL MEMBER FOR USE IN REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Alan J.Koch, Evansville, Ind., assignor to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporationof Delaware Filed July 25, 1963, Ser. No. 297,545 6 Claims. (Cl. 62-298)This invention relates to refrigeration apparatus, and in particular torefrigerated structures.

One well known form of refrigerated cabinet structure comprises acombination refrigerator-freezer apparatus wherein a cabinet is provideddefining a refrigerator chamber and a freezer chamber. It has beendesirable to provide a single refrigeration unit for cooling therespective chambers to the desired refrigerating and freezingtemperatures, and to this end, a substantial number of differentrefrigeration systems have been devised. One such attempt to solve thisproblem has been the drawer or air conditioner type refrigeration systemwherein a separate insulated housing was provided to house theevaporator. The known structures have not proven completely satisfactorybecause of the substantial cost thereof and the difficulties andresulting high cost in providing duct means for delivering therefrigerated air to and from the chambers.

The present invention comprehends an improved'refrigeration apparatuswherein a central refrigeration unit is provided in a novel and simplemanner. Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is theprovision of a new and improved refrigeration apparatus.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such refrigerationapparatus having new and improved means for providing refrigerated airto a plurality of chambers to be refrigerated.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such arefrigeration apparatus including means defining a chamber to berefrigerated, the chamber having a wall portion, an evaporator, ablower, and an insulating wall member insulating the wall portion of thechamber means and defining an evaporator space receiving the evaporator,a blower space receiving the blower, and duct means for conducting airfrom the blower to the chamber and from the chamber through theevaporator to the blower.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of suchrefrigeration apparatus wherein the Wall member is formed of a foamedplastic material.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of suchrefrigeration apparatus wherein the insulating wall member furtherdefines a condenser space and duct means for conducting air from theblower to the condenser space.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of suchrefrigeration apparatus wherein the wall member further defines acompressor space and duct means for conducting air from the blower meansto the compressor space.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of suchrefrigeration apparatus wherein the blower means comprises a pair ofblowers and a single drive motor carried in a dividing wall between thespaces in which the blowers are disposed.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a refrigerationapparatus having improved air circulating means providing forfacilitated servicing and interchangeability between diiferentrefrigeration models.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIGURE 1 is a rear elevation of a refrigeration apparatus embodying theinvention with portions thereof broken away to facilitate illustrationthereof;

3,239,734 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary verticalsection taken sub-' stantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along theline 66 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along theline 77 of FIGURE 2.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in thedrawing, a refrigeration apparatus generally designated 10 is shown tocomprise a cabinet 11 having a top wall 12, a left side wall 13, and aright side wall 14. The cabinet includes an upper liner 15 which may beformed of a suitable material, such as a plastic, and defining a freezerspace 16. A second liner 17 similarly formed of a suitable material suchas a plastic is disposed in the cabinet below the freezer space 16 todefine a refrigeration space 18. The liners 15 and 17 are insulated bymeans of an insulating Wall member generally designated 1-9, hereincomprising a foamed in place, or molded, plastic wall member.

The invention comprehends a novel arrangement of the wall member 19permitting the installation of the refrigeration unit generallydesignated 2% therein and providing for the circulation of therefrigerated air to the freezer and refrigerator chambers. Morespecifically, as best seen in FIGURE 7, the wall member 19 defines anevaporator space 21 wherein is disposed an evaporator 22. The wallmember 19, as shown in FIGURE 4, further defines a first blower space23, and as shown in FIGURE 6, defines a second blower space 24. As shownin FIGURE 7, the wall member 19 still further defines a condenser space25, and as shown in FIGURE 6, defines a duct 27 for returning air fromthe condenser space to the blower space 24. Still further, as shown inFIGURE 4, the Wall member 19 defines a first duct 28 for deliveringrefrigerated air from the blower chamber 23 through a first inletpassage 29 to the freezer chamber 16, and a second inlet 30 to therefrigerator chamber 18. As shown in FIGURE 5, the wall member 19further defines a second duct 31 cooperating with a first outlet 32 fromfreezer chamber 16 and a second outlet 33 from refrigerator chamber 18to return the air from the freezer and refrigerator chambers to theevaporator space 21. i

As best seen in FIGURES 4 through 7, the rear of the evaporator space 21and first blower space 23 is closed by an access panel 35 which may besimilarly formed of foam molded plastic.

An excellent example of an evaporator suitable for use as evaporator 22is that disclosed and claimed in copending United States applicationSerial No. 264,280, filed March 11, 1963, to which reference may be hadfor specific details of construction thereof. Briefly, how ever, theevaporator 22 includes an outer tubular housing 37 and an inner, tubularevaporator sheet 38 defining therebetween an air flow passage 39. Asmall diameter accumulator tube 40 inwardly defines an axial refrigerantpassage 41 and outwardly defines with evaporator sheet 38 an annular airflow passage 42. A- fin structure 43 extends across passage 42 inserpentine fashion to provide improved heat transfer between theevaporator sheet 38 and accumulator tube 40 and the air flowing throughthe passage 42. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 1, air is passed longitudinallythrough the evaporator 22 to the first blower chamber 23. A first blower44 is disposed within the chamber 23 for circulating the air from theevaporator 22 through duct 28 to the freezer chamber 16 and refrigeratorchamber 18, as best seen in FIG- URE 4. As indicated briefly above, theair is then returned to the evaporator chamber 21 through duct 31, asshown in FIGURE 5.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a drain 45 extends from the lower end of thecylindrical evaporator space 21 and is inclined downwardly to the leftas shown therein. During a defrosting operation, the melt is deliveredfrom the evaporator space 21 through the drain 45 into a pan 46 definingthe bottom of the compressor space 34.

The blower 44 is driven by suitable means such as an electric motor 47which is mounted in a dividing wall 48 between blower spaces 23 and 24,respectively. As shown in FIGURE 1, the blower 44 is mounted on a shaft49 extending through the dividing wall 43 from the motor 47. A fan 50 isdisposed within a suitable shroud 51 defining one wall of the secondblower space 24 and is driven from motor 47 by a suitable shaft 52 todraw the air from blower space 24 and deliver air to the compressorspace 3 as shown in FIGURE 1. Wall 48 comprises an insulating wall whichmay be formed integrally with the wall member 19 for maintaining the twoair streams circulated by the respective lower 44 and fan 50 thermallyindependent of each other.

The refrigeration unit 20 further includes a convenventional compressor53 in space 34 above collecting pan 46. The compressor is connected inconventional fashion by means of a suitable conduit 54 to theaccumulator 40 of the evaporator 22 and by suitable conduit means 55 toa serpentine tube condenser coil 56 disposed within condenser space 25.The condenser coil 56 is in turn connected to the evaporator 22 by asuitable interconnecting conduit 57. Still further, the compressor 53 isconnected to a precooler conduit 58 extending vertically upwardly fromthe compressor in a direct space 59 which leads to the fan shroud 51. Asshown in FIG- URE 1, air is circulated by means of fan 50 upwardlythrough condenser space 25 to the top of the wall member 19, and thendownwardly through the space 59 to the blower space 24 for delivery tothe compressor space 34. The heat developed by the compressor andcondenser during its operation serves to evaporate the collected melt inpan 46 and the resultant water vapor is then discharged from thecompressor space 34 with the air passed by fan 50 through space 34 toexternally of the cabinet.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the condenser coil 56 is carried on a metal panelsheet 60 which defines the outer.

rear wall member of the cabinet. As shown in FIG- URES 4 through 7, thesheet 60 extends in facial engagement with the rear surface of the wallmember 19. The lower end 61 of sheet 60 terminates slightly below thelevel of the refrigerator chamber 18 permitting installation of theaccess panel 35 therebelow to rearwardly close the evaporator space 21and blower space 23. The rear of the compressor and condenser space 24is closed by an access panel 60a. The sheets 60 and 60a may be securedto the side walls of the cabinet by suitable means such as screws 62, asshown in FIGURE 1.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the access panel is arranged to define an inlet 63to the evaporator space 21 communicating with the duct 31. As furthershown in FIG- URE 4, the access panel 35 is arranged to define an outlet64 from the blower space 23 to the duct 28.

Thus, the refrigeration apparatus comprises an improved structurewherein the rear wall including wall member 19, panel 60a, and sheet 60defines a plurality of spaces for respectively housing the evaporator,air moving means, condenser, and compressor means of the apparatus. Thewall member 19 may be formed in a simple manner by being foamed inplace, whereby substantial economy of construction is effected. The useof the wall member permits standardization of the refrigeration unit forreadily interchangeable use with refrigerators having differentrefrigeration chamber arrangements. Further, the wall member 19 providesfor facilitated assembly and improved compact arrangement of therefrigeration unit. The wall member provides improved defrostingefiiciency as a result of the improved remote insulated disposition ofthe evaporator. Still further, the invention provides for facilitatedservicing of the refrigeration unit. Further, improved heat transfer andair distribution efficiency is provided.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it isto be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes,therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a refrigeration apparatus; an evaporator; blower means; acondenser; means defining a chamber to be refrigerated including aninsulating wall member formed of a single piece of insulating materialand defining (a) an evaporator space receiving said evaporator, (b) ablower space receiving said blower means, (0) a condenser spacereceiving said condenser, (d) duct means defined substantially fully bysaid insulating material for conducting air from said blower to saidchamber and from said chamber through said evaporator to said blower,and (e) an access opening to said evaporator and blower spaces; andpanel means removably closing said access opening.

.2. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein said duct means isfurther arranged to conduct air from said condenser space to saidblower.

3. In a refrigeration apparatus; an evaporator; blower means; acompressor; means defining a chamber to be refrigerated including aninsulating wall member formed of a single piece of insulating material,said wall member including an outer sheet element and defining (a) anevaporator space receiving said evaporator, (b) a blower space receivingsaid blower, (c) a compressor space receiving said compressor, (d) ductmeans defined substantially fully by said insulating material forconducting air from said blower to saidv chamber and from said chamberthrough said evaporator to said blower, and (e) an access opening tosaid evaporator and blower spaces; and panel means removably closingsaid access opening.

4. The refrigerationv apparatus of claim 3 wherein said duct means isfurther arranged to conduct air from said blower means to saidcompressor space.

5. In a refrigeration apparatus; an evaporator; a first blower; a secondblower; a condenser; means defining a chamber to be refrigeratedincluding an insulating wall member formed of a single piece'ofinsulating material and defining (a) an evaporator space receiving saidevaporator, (b) a first blower space receiving said first blower, (c) asecond blower space receiving said second blower, (d) a dividing wallseparating the two blower spaces, (e) first duct means definedsubstantially fully by said insulating material for conducting air fromthe first blower to said chamber and from said chamber through saidevaporator to said first blower, (f) second duct means. definedsubstantially fully by said insulating material for conducting air fromsaid second blower to said condenser, and (g) an access opening to saidevaporator and first blower space; and panel means removably closingsaid access opening.

6. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 5 wherein a drive motor ismounted in said dividing wall and is References Cited by the ExaminerUNITED STATES PATENTS Jones 62-450 X Hill 62-450 X Bixler 62-283Corhanidis 62-448 X Reverman 62-450 X Mann et a1 62-419 X Devery 62-450X Preotle et a1. 62-419 X Jacobs 62-419 Mann et a1 62-283 Kesling 62-465Gelbard 62-419 X Harle 62-283 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A REFRIGERATION APPARATUS; AN EVAPORATOR; BLOWER MEANS; ACONDENSER; MEANS DEFINING A CHAMBER TO BE REFRIGERATED INCLUDING ANINSULATING WALL MEMBER FORMED OF A SINGLE PIECE OF INSULATING MATERIALAND DEFINING (A) AN EVAPORATOR SPACE RECEIVING SAID EVAPORATOR, (B) ABLOWER SPACE RECEIVING SAID BLOWER MEANS, (C) A CONDENSER SPACERECEIVING SAID CONDENSER, (D) DUCT MEANS DEFINED SUBSTANTIALLY FULLY BYSAID INSULATING MATERIAL FOR CONDUCTING AIR FROM SAID BLOWER TO SAIDCHAMBER AND FROM SAID CHAMBER THROUGH SAID EVAPORATOR TO SAID BLOWER,AND (E) AN ACCESS OPENING TO SAID EVAPORATOR AND BLOWER SPACES; ANDPANEL MEANS REMOVABLY CLOSING SAID ACCESS OPENING.